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99
CONFIDENTIAL.
98
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
until
BASILISK sailed, leaving behind her boats, which did fine
work on ou behalf. When about 120 men had been embarked
the Germans began shelling the ships, using an observation
balloon for spotting. As all ships got under way, ORANJE
followed with BASILISK'S boats in tow and proceeded to
anchor off Bray. At this time BASILISK returned and removed
her boats, and ORANJE was ordered to collect what troops
we could, and if none, to return to Margate with what we al-
ready had. As there were no spare boats at Bray ORANJE
tried several beaches in the vicinity of Rosendael and
Malo-les-Bains, but as only French troops were there who did
not appear desirous of coming off, and there were no boats,
ORANJE proceeded alongside the seaward side of Dunkirk
eastern arm. Here we were informed that there were 6 large
ships alongside empty, but no troops in the vicinity, so
we were told to return home.
ORANJE arrived off Margate at 2300 and anchored.
13. At 0300 ORANJE was called alongside to disembark
troops and the P.O. T.C. and E.R.A. were discharged sick.
At 0800, having completed with fresh provisions, and with 4
boats in tow, ORANJE sailed for Dunkirk. It was discovered
that there was a rope round the screw which reduced the speed
to 6 knots; this had evidently peen there since towing BASIKI
BASILISK's boats the previous day.
At 1200 the wrecks of the Scotia and another troopship were
sighted, but as there was already a large number of ships
On arrival off Dunkirk Channel, we were informed by another
picking up survivors, ORANJE did not stop.
scoot that the beach evacuation was completed, and that there
were already sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and our
boats were not required. As the origin of this message
appeared very doubtful, ORANJE remained in the vicinity to
try and get definite information from some warship leaving
Dunkirk.
14. From 1445 to 1515 a number of Air Attacks were made
on ships and boats, and as all ships turned homeward, ORANJE
did likewise. Three dive-bombers, believed to be Messerschmidt
attacked ORANJE during this period, two of them coming out of
the middle of a squadron of Spitfires. Fire was opened with
Lewis Guns and rifles, and one machine was observed leaving
with a thin trail of smoke behind: it is believed that this
machine was hit but not badly damaged. Each machine dropped
5 bo, mbs, one large one (estimated 5001be) which exploded on
impact,
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